Confirmation, Stallone’s Return & Everything We Know

Sylvester Stallone’s early ’90s classic Cliffhanger is finally getting the legacy sequel it always deserved, and there are already a ton of exciting updates about Cliffhanger 2. Released in 1993 and directed by Renny Harlin, the film stars Stallone as an expert climber who is, unbeknownst to him, hired to help rescue a band of violent criminals after their loot is accidentally lost in the Rocky Mountains. Praised for its simple but effective thrills, Cliffhanger was something of a departure for Stallone, who was still very much in his blockbuster era in the early 1990s.

The movie was a smash hit and earned decent reviews from critics on the way to grossing an impressive $250 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo). Despite being considered one of Sylvester Stallone’s best movies, a sequel never materialized and Cliffhanger seemed destined to become yet another standalone classic. However, it now seems as if a legacy sequel is finally arriving, and Stallone is prepared to step back into one of his most understated action roles over 30 years later.

Cliffhanger 2 Latest News

A Filming Start Time Is Revealed

Months after it was revealed that the legacy sequel was in the works, the latest news confirms a shooting start time for Cliffhanger 2. According to reports which confirm that the sequel is receiving incentives from Austria’s government program, Cliffhanger 2 is slated to begin shooting in fall 2024 in Austria and Bavaria. Despite production beginning soon, almost nothing is known about the legacy sequel outside of Stallone’s expected return and that French director Jean-Francois Richet will helm the project.

Cliffhanger 2 Is Confirmed

A Legacy Sequel Arrives At Last

Though another, female-driven, cliffhanger reboot was in the works around 2019, Cliffhanger 2 was officially announced back in 2023, which has seemingly canceled the previous idea. Likely spurred by the success of other legacy sequels, the long-awaited follow-up was announced with Greenland director Ric Roman attached to helm the project. The directing job has since been given to French filmmaker Jean-Francois Richet, and it’s unclear why the change was made or how it will affect the finished product.

In an even more exciting twist, it was also revealed that Sylvester Stallone will return to reprise his role as Gabe Walker. In August 2024, it was revealed that the sequel will go into production in the fall of 2024. Despite this update, no release date has been announced, and the project is largely shrouded in mystery.

Cliffhanger 2 Cast

Sylvester Stallone Reprises His Role

So far, the only name attached to the cast of Cliffhanger 2 is Sylvester Stallone, who will be returning to the role of Gabe Walker for the first time in over 30 years. Though no one else has been announced, the other major character yet to be cast is Walker’s daughter, who will play a large role in the sequel’s story. It is unclear if a major villain will appear in the story. Since John Lithgow’s Qualen fell to his death in the original, a new baddie will be necessary,

As for other returning cast members, it is unclear if Michael Rooker will reprise his role as Gabe’s best friend Hal, or if Janine Turner will reprise her role as Jessie Deighan. Gabe and Jessie end up together at the end of the first film, and with Gabe being a father in the sequel, it’s likely the two had the child together. More cast details will be revealed as the film’s pre-production process continues.

Cliffhanger 2 Story

Gabe & His Daughter Team Up For Another Mountaineering Adventure

Former Cliffhanger 2 director Ric Roman described the new sequel and gave a few small hints about what the film will be about. Roman mentioned that the film will take place in the Swiss Alps, and he described it as “the next evolution of Cliffhanger with Stallone“. Without revealing too much about the story, Roman stressed that, like Top Gun: Maverick, Cliffhanger 2 is about the evolution of Stallone’s Walker.

As for plot specifics, the movie will seemingly see Walker return to mountaineering, and it will include his daughter, also a mountaineer, getting involved in something big in the Swiss Alps. Considering Roman’s comments, Walker will still be the focus, but the movie could see him team up with his daughter, or see him attempt to rescue her from some new foe in Cliffhanger 2.